Had I arrived for the first time in Liberia this week - I would think oooh how cool and wet and lush it is here on the West African coast, alas I know better - the HOT, sweltering, sun baking days of the dry season will come again.
Had I arrived for the first time this week, I would think oh my goodness, why are all the buildings left unpainted, alas I know better- the relentless rains have washed away the paint of the walls, the buildings, especially here on the ocean side - not only are our homes and compound walls scrubbed away leaving a variety of patinas, from dingy sand cement, to colorful molds of bright greens and deep rich browns and blacks but metal doors and window grates are tinged with rust from the ocean mist.
Even the plants have changed - there are lush responses to the rainy season - grass is bushy and thick - matted and dense creating carpets of bright BRIGHT green even on this gray morning, the grass lights up the compound yard reflecting off the few white surfaces that remain - creating a green glow that is warm and inviting - stunning: it even lights up the dirt!
Of course there are the plants that could not survive the rainy season - or the ocean mists. Small plants and bushes that could not handle the constant down pours or the salty winds and they stand like lean, twiggy, youthful soldiers in the mud - they have not given up = but they are naked, and leafless, embarrassed even - but I know - I have faith that they will return - brighter and stronger. I have no fear that they might have right now - alone and thin. I look forward to their new leaves - exciting really!
And then there are all the folks - the neighbors - they seem more focused as they hurry to their jobs, the expats, they seem a little wearier then I remember the verve of a sunny dry season has been replaced with a slow sullen energy that is visible in everyone's face and stride.
Then there is Mamie - she has lost some weight, markedly so and upon asking her about it I have come to learn - she has a boyfriend - and she wants to take care of herself for her boyfriend!
Andrew has actually gained weight - and so then I noticed many of the working men in the compound have gained weight - in fact so much so I did not recognize them. Seems the rainy season is beneficial for the working man - less time in the field allows for more rest and less days of sweltering heat lend to more eating - so a new cycle I have learned - and yet not so much different from us in America when we "fatten-up" over winter - and try to "shed" pounds in the spring - here, here it is the natural process!
Thanks goodness I left for the rainy season - maybe if I only live "in summertime" I won't have to worry about "shedding" pounds - I may have found a new regimen!
There are some concerning changes involving my friends - some Liberians are markedly thinner - in fact one of our security men, a young man, who works nights so he can get an economics/accounting degree during the day - is markedly thinner - he was when I left quite big and strong and agile and fun and his face was youthful...unfortunately, through rainy season he contracted every disease available in Liberia - malaria and typhoid and malaria again - and other names I did not even understand. Through all this he has still been attending class and brought his grade sheet to show us: All B's except for a C in Geography.
I will do my best to fatten him up, and even his older colleague who appears dry-season-thin, I worry about them both as rainy season ends.
I am sure there are more changes about - but it all seems so overwhelming - there are new buildings about and old ones missing - little squatter neighborhoods just a pile of bricks and new stands on Randall Street. All in just three short months.
The good the bad the unexpected the expected - the good news about all this change: Liberia is Alive.
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